Smith, John: A catalogue raisonné of the works of the most eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French painters: in which is included a short biographical notice of the artists, with a copious description of their principal pictures : a statement of the prices at which such pictures have been sold at public sales on the continent and in England; a reference the the galleries and private collections in which a large portion are at present; and the names of the artists by whom they have been engraved; to which is added, a brief notice of the scholars & imitators of the great masters of the above schools (Part 1) (London: Smith and Son, 1829)

INTRODUCTION.

xxvii

possible to ascertain the value of the numerous collec-
tions of pictures which were broken up and dispersed
during the w’ar on the continent, the chief part of
which, with numerous isolated pictures, have since
been imported to England. The proceeds of these
sales must have been a source of immense wealth to
the proprietors, and, consequently, to the countries in
which they were sold.
Should not considerations of this nature inssuence a
government to award annual bounties to distinguished
artists, whose works would not only adorn the present
age, but also be a store of wealth to future genera-
tions ?

OBSERVATIONS.

The numerous difficulties which the writer has had to con-
tend with, in the compilation of the present Work, have fre-
quently induced him to relinquish the idea of offering it to the
public. It has now grown to such a magnitude, that whatever
inclination he might have to publish his observations, it would
be folly for him, as an individual, to encounter the expense,
with the great uncertainty of remuneration, without first ascer-
taining the sort of reception the work is likely to receive from
the public; with this view he puts forth thefirst part., trusting
that, with all its defects, it will be found to contain much
interesting and valuable information.
The difficulties alluded to, have chiessy arisen from the im-.
possibility of identifying Pictures, in some catalogues, where